WinZip, My Computer, and Windows Explorer all use associations the same way. When you open a file with an association, the application associated with the file is run, and the application automatically opens the file. WinZip's Unzip and Try provides the option to create an entry for your unzipped files in the Program menu with shortcuts to the unzipped files. Thes shortcuts also make use of the file association to open files in the correct program.

You can view, add, and remove Windows associations using My Computer or Windows Explorer. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer and locate Options or Folder Options in the menus (the exact name and menu location depends on your version of Windows). Open the options window from the menu and click the File Types tab. Press the F1 key for detailed instructions.

If you are using Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista, you can achieve similar results by clicking Start and then Default Programs. This will display a window with options that include Set your default programs and Associate a file type or protocol with a program.

WinZip associations

You can easily review and modify the types of archives with which WinZip is associated from within WinZip. When an archive type is associated with WinZip, Windows will use WinZip to open files of that type.

To view and modify WinZip associations, open the WinZip Options window by clicking WinZip Options in the Settings tab of the WinZip Ribbon. In the WinZip Options window, click the Integration tab; on the Integration tab, check the Archive checkbox and then click the Associations button. In the window that follows, you will see a list of archive types. You can specify whether an archive type should be associated with WinZip by checking or unchecking the checkbox next to the archive type.

Note: in order to change associations using the WinZip Options window, you will need administrative privileges. You will need to allow administrative rights if you are presented with the User Account Control window.